The first week...

Our first week in Aklan was spent surveying… or at least trying to survey.

I can't even begin to describe how hard a feat it was for a group of 6 Albayanos to trek the unfamiliar territories of Kalibo and Numancia. See, when we got to Kalibo, there was still mud everywhere. Most streets were still not passable because of the mud and because the branches and the debris left behind by the storm still lay in the middle of the roads. Working vehicles were very hard to come by as the engines of most vehicles were reached by flood water and mud. If vehicles weren't immobile, they were stalling. Fortunately for us, Nang Marites Gonzaga was able to lend us a vehicle that first week. Her vehicle was not spared from the mud and flood but by God's grace, it was able to take us to the different areas identified by the local government units of Kalibo and Numancia as priority areas.

That first week, we visited the areas of Mobo, Tinigao, Bakhao Norte, Bakhao Sur, Albasan, Bulwang, Bubog, Camanci Norte, Camanci Sur, Joyao Joyao, Laguinbanwa East, Laguinbanua West, Navitas, and Pusiw. We spoke with the different barangay officials about our intent to start a feeding program. We asked them to prepare the list of children in their barangay so we could accurately allocate the needed calderos and ingredients for the emergency feeding program.

By the end of that week, most barangays had complied with our requested listings, but a few barangays only submitted partial listings. When I asked one barangay official why their listing was partial, she said, “Wag na lang natin isama yung mga bata doon. Malayo naman sila mam eh.” I told her we can't work like that because we came to their barangay wishing to feed every hungry child in the barangay. She smiled, and then she asked me if i could give 3 of their Barangay Health Workers an allowance to get the full listing. I asked her how long it would take, she said another 4 days. I smiled my best looking smile right back at her before I said goodbye.

I felt bad each time I realized that we wouldn't be able to serve in one barangay either because the barangay officials didn't want to cooperate with us or flat out turned us down. But I also knew we could only work in communities that were willing to help us help them. No matter how much we would want to feed every hungry child in Kalibo and Numancia, we would still need the support and the commitment of the leaders and the members of that community to have a successful feeding program.

This is why I wish to extend my warmest thanks to the leaders and members of the following areas and schools:

Albasan, Bubog, Bulwang, Camanci Norte, Camanci Sur, Joyao- Joyao, Laguinbanua West, Mobo, Navitas, Numancia Integrated School, Pusiw, & Tinigao.

Dios mabalos po for committing to feed the children in your community 5 days a week, 20 days a month! We salute you for your hard work and we are truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with you to prevent the possible surge of malnutrition that comes in times of crisis and disaster. Maraming salamat po for accepting us into your communities. Dios Mabalos po for helping us serve your community.